Bhavatharini Raja (23 July 1976 – 25 January 2024) was an Indian playback singer and composer. She was the only daughter of noted composer Ilaiyaraaja and sister of Yuvan Shankar Raja and Karthik Raja.[1] Starting her career in the 1990s, she mostly sang songs under the direction of her father and brothers. She was awarded the National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer in 2000 for her rendition of the song "Mayil Pola Ponnu Onnu" from the film Bharathi, composed by her father.

Bhavatharini
Born
Bhavatharini Raajaa

(1976-07-23)23 July 1976
Died25 January 2024(2024-01-25) (aged 47)
Other namesBhavatha
Occupations
Years active1984 – 2024

Career

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Bhavatharini Raja made her debut as a playback singer for My Dear Kuttichathan. From then onwards, she mostly sang on albums composed by her father and brothers.

In 2001, she won the National Award for the song "Mayil Pola Ponnu Onnu" in the movie Bharathi (the music director was her father).[2]

Bhavatharini turned as a composer for the 2002 film Mitr, My Friend, directed by Revathi, starring Shobhana.[3] She then forayed into the Telugu film industry with Avuna (2003).[4] She also composed music for Phir Milenge, also directed by Revathi, starring Shilpa Shetty, Abhishek Bachchan and Salman Khan.[5] In June 2012, she was roped in to score the tunes for Vellachi, a village-based project.[6]

Personal life and death

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Bhavatharani studied at Rosary Matric School in Chennai. This was followed by higher secondary school in Adarsh Vidyalaya, Peters Road, Chennai. Bhavatharini was married to an advertising executive, R. Sabariraj, son of S.N. Ramachandran.[1] Ramachandran is a former journalist who went into publishing and started Kannan Advertising.[1] The couple did not have children.

Bhavatharini died from cancer on 25 January 2024, at the age of 47, while being treated for the disease in Colombo, Sri Lanka. [7][8][9][10] Her body was taken to her father's home in Chennai, and later to her ancestral village, where she was cremated.

Discography

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As playback singer

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Tamil

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List of Bhavatharini Tamil film credits as playback singer
Year Album Song Composer Co-singer(s) Notes
1988 En Bommukutty Ammavuku "Kuyile Kuyile" Ilaiyaraaja K. S. Chithra
1989 Thendral Sudum "Dhoori Dhoori" Yuvan Shankar Raja
1990 Anjali "Something Something" Karthik Raja Along with
Yuvan Shankar Raja, Venkat Prabhu, Premgi Amaren, Bala, Parthi Bhaskar, Hari Bhaskar
"Iravu Nilavu" S Janaki
"Anjali Anjali" Sathya, Vaishnavi
"Vaanam Namakku" Karthik Raja
"Motta Maadi"
1994 Sethupathi IPS "Anadhai Endru"
1995 Raasaiyya "Masthana Masthana" Arunmozhi, S.N Surendhar Debut as solo playback singer
Chandralekha "Anal Thanil Vaadidum"
1996 Irattai Roja "Unnai Vidamaaten" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Katta Panchayathu "Oru Chinna Mani" Jolly Abraham
Karuvelam Pookkal "Pallakku Vanthirukku"
Alexander "Alexander" Karthik Raja Anupama, Mahanadhi Shobana, Yuvan Shankar Raja, S. P. B. Charan
"Nadhiyoram" P. Unnikrishnan
Enakkoru Magan Pirappan "Chum Chum" Karthik Raja
Manikkam "Sundararae Muzhu" S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
"Santhanam Theychachi"
"Thottu Sel Idam"
1997 Aravindhan "All The Best" Yuvan Shankar Raja Hariharan
Ullaasam "Mutthey Mutthamma" Karthik Raja Kamal Haasan, Swarnalatha
"Yaaro Yaaryaro" Ilaiyaraaja
Thedinen Vanthathu "Aalps Malaikkaattru" Sirpy Hariharan
Raman Abdullah "En Veettu Jannal" Ilaiyaraaja Arunmozhi
Kadhalukku Mariyadhai "Ennai Thalaata" Hariharan Only humming
"Idhu Sangeetha Thirunalo"
"O Baby" Vijay Only humming
Naanum Oru Indian "Un Kadhalan" Unnikrishnan The film was released as Desiya Paravai in 2006
Kadavul "Aadi Sivan Tholil"
Nerukku Ner "Thudikindra Kadhal (Evar Kandaar)" Deva Mano
1998 Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar "Nadanakalarani'" Karthik Raja Yuvan Shankar Raja, Premji Amaran
Kaathala Kaathala "Madonna Paadala" Kamal Haasan, Hariharan
"Laila Laila" Hariharan
Kalyana Galatta "Adhaam Yevaal" Yuvan Shankar Raja Venkat Prabhu
Velai "Oyvedu Nilave" P. Unnikrishnan
Kizhakkum Merkkum "Akka Nee Sirichcha" Ilaiyaraaja
"Poongaatrae"
Senthooram "Aalamaram" P. Unnikrishnan
Kannathal "Amman Pugazhai Paada"
Poonthottam "New Year" Karthik Raja, Yuvan Shankar Raja, Venkat Prabhu, Premji Amaran, Mano, Malaysia Vasudevan
Kangalin Vaarthaigal "Nenjathin Geetham" P. Unnikrishnan
"Indha Kadhal"
Kaadhal Kavithai "Alai Meethu"
1999 Ponnu Veetukkaran "Ilaya Nilave" Srinivas
Thodarum "Oru Thulir Onnu" P. Unnikrishnan
Time "Thavikkiren Thavikkiren" Hariharan
Rajasthan "Sorgathil Nikkah" Shankar Mahadevan
Annan "Kanmanikku Vaazhthu"
Manam Virumbuthe Unnai "Kutti Kuyilai" Hariharan
"Ilavenirkaala Panjami" Hariharan Only humming
Kummi Paattu "Chinna Manasu"
Poovellam Kettuppar "Poothathu" Yuvan Shankar Raja Cameo appearance; First on-screen appearance
2000 Kadhal Rojavae '"Sirithale" Ilaiyaraaja
Kakkai Siraginilae "Gayathiri Ketkum" P. Unnikrishnan
Bharathi "Mayil Pola Ponnu Onnu" National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer
Karisakattu Poove "Mamarathula" P. Unnikrishnan
Karuvelam Pookkal "Pallakku Vanthirukku"
Ilaiyavan "Nilavil Amuthu" P. Unnikrishnan
2001 Dheena "Nee Illai Endral" Yuvan Shankar Raja Murugan
Friends "Thendral Varum" Ilaiyaraaja Hariharan
Vaanchinathan "Adi Rendu" Karthik Raja P. Unnikrishnan
Kanna Unnai Thedukiren "Vanji Kodi" Ilaiyaraaja Hariharan
Aandan Adimai "Enna Enna Paada" Harini
Manadhai Thirudivittai "Sadugudugudu Aadathey" Yuvan Shankar Raja Hariharan
2002 Azhagi "Oliyile Therivadhu Devadhaya" Ilaiyaraaja Karthik
"Damakku Damakku Dum"
En Mana Vaanil "Muthu Muthu" Karthik
Ramanaa "Vaanam Adhirave" P. Unnikrishnan, Sadhana Sargam
Solla Marandha Kadhai "Yaedho Onnu" Karthik
Album "Muttaikull" Karthik Raja
2003 Puthiya Geethai "Mercury Poove" Yuvan Shankar Raja Nideesh Gopalan, Bonnie Chakraborty
Punnagai Poove Eno Uyirmele
Pithamagan "Kodi Yethi Vaippom" Ilaiyaraaja Shanmugasundari, Periya Karuppa Thevar, Harish Raghavendra
Dhanush "Vellipaniyai" Vijay Yesudas Unreleased film[11][deprecated source]
Konji Pesalaam "Konji Pesalaam"
Ragasiyamai "Kangalum Kangalum" Karthik Raja KK
Three Roses "Anbal Unnai" Annupamaa, Febi Mani
"Oh Oh Sexy" Rohini
2004 Vishwa Thulasi "Vishwa Thulasi" M. S. Viswanathan
2005 Oru Naal Oru Kanavu "Kaatril Varum Geethame I" Ilaiyaraaja Shreya Ghoshal, Sadhana Sargam, Hariharan
"Kaatril Varum Geethame II" Shreya Ghosal
Karagattakkari "Kattukkili" Karthik
Adhu Oru Kana Kaalam "Killi Thattu" Jothi
Pon Megalai "Aalapanai" Sadhana Sargam
Rightaa Thappaa "Thottuvidu" Karthik Raja
2006 Azhagai Irukkirai Bayamai Irukkirathu "Kanavae Kalaigirathe" Yuvan Shankar Raja Yuvan Shankar Raja
"Elaiyudhir Kaalam" Yuvan Shankar Raja, Bobby, Reeta, Reshmi, Ranjith, Naveen Madhav
Thaamirabharani "Thaaliyae Thevaiyillai" Hariharan
Kadhale En Kadhale "Maya" Prayog
2007 Vasantham Vanthachu "Nenjam" Oviyan
Naalaiya Pozhuthum Unnodu "Pesa Paraasa" Srikanth Deva Karthik
2008 Uliyin Osai "Kaalathai Vendra" Ilaiyaraaja Sriram Parthasarathy
Dhanam "Kannanukku Enna" Sriram Parthasarathy, Prasanna
Chakkara Viyugam "Idhu Thaan Chakraviyugam" Karthik Raja
2009 Azhagar Malai "Unnai Enakku" Ilaiyaraaja Rita
Kannukulle "Paattu Ketka" Tippu, Rahul Nambiar, Prasanna, Mukesh Mohamed, Velmurugan
2010 Avargalum Ivargalum "Enna Thavam Senjiputten" Srikanth Deva
Ochayee "Kammangaatukulle" Jeevaraja Harish Raghavendra
Goa "Yelelu Thalamuraikkum" Yuvan Shankar Raja Karthik Raja, Venkat Prabhu, Premji Amaran, Yuvan Shankar Raja
2011 Mankatha "Kannadi Nee" S. P. B. Charan
2012 Aravaan "Unna Kolla Poren" Karthik M. L. R. Karthikeyan
Maranthen Mannithen (D) "Alaiyodu Alaiyaga" Ilaiyaraaja
Mayilu "Yathe" Sriram Parthasarathy
Ullam Oh Iyarkaiyai Yuvan Shankar Raja
2013 Aadhalal Kadhal Seiveer "Thappu Thanda" Javed Ali
Biriyani "Biriyani" Tanvi Shah, Vilasini
2014 Anegan "Aathadi Aathadi" Harris Jayaraj Tippu and Dhanush
Irumbu Kuthirai "Penne Penne" G. V. Prakash Kumar G. V. Prakash
2019 RK Nagar "Adiye" Premgi Amaren Ranjith
2021 Maanaadu "Meherezylaa" Yuvan Shankar Raja Yuvan Shankar Raja, Rizwan
2022 Maamanithan "Pannapurathu" Ilaiyaraaja, Yuvan Shankar Raja Sriram Parthasarathy Credited as Raja Bhavatharini
2024 Aariyamala "Aththi Poovapola" Selvanambi
The Greatest of All Time  "Chinna Chinna Kangal" Yuvan Shankar Raja Vijay, Yuvan Shankar Raja Posthumously released AI Generated Voice[12]
Credited as Raja Bhavatharini

Malayalam

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List of Bhavatharini Malayalam film credits as playback singer
Year Album Song Composer Co-singer(s) Notes
1984 My Dear Kuttichathan "Thithithey Thaalam" Ilaiyaraaja
1997 Kaliyoonjal "Kalyaanappallakkil Velippayyan"
"Shaaradendu Paadi" K. J. Yesudas, Ilaiyaraaja
2000 Kochu Kochu Santhoshangal "Palappoomazha"
2005 Ponmudipuzhayorathu "Naadaswaram Ketto" Asha G. Menon
2007 Ajantha "Aarum Thodatha Poovil" Madhu Balakrishnan

Kannada

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List of Bhavatharini Kannada film credits as playback singer
Year Album Song Composer Co-singer(s) Notes
2001 Usire "Preethisuve Preethisuve" Ilaiyaraaja K. J. Yesudas
Hoo Anthiya Uhoo Anthiya "Belli Chandiranu" Karthik Raja Madhu Balakrishnan
2006 Geeya Geeya "Hrudayadi Kadana" Bhavatharini
2007 Ajantha "Yaaru Hogada Jaaga" Ilaiyaraaja Vijay Yesudas

Telugu

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List of Bhavatharini Telugu film credits as playback singer
Year Album Song Composer Co-singer(s) Notes
2001 Dumm Dumm Dumm "Nee Pere Inthandham" Karthik Raja Harish Raghavendra
2002 Malli Malli Chudali "Vennelalo" Yuvan Shankar Raja P. Unnikrishnan
2007 Anumanaspadam "Rela Rela Rela" Ilaiyaraaja Tippu
2013 Gundello Godari "Nanu Neetho"

Hindi

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List of Bhavatharini Hindi film credits as playback singer
Year Album Song Composer Co-singer(s) Notes
2009 Paa "Gumm Summ Gumm" Ilaiyaraaja Shravan

Non-film songs

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Year Album Song Language Composer Co-singer(s) Notes Ref(s)
2005 Thiruvasakam in Symphony "Pooerukonum Purantharanum" Tamil Ilaiyaraaja Ilaiyaraaja The first Indian oratorio ever [13][14]

Television

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Year Serial Song Language Composer Television Notes
2007 Suryavamsam Tamil Sun TV Produced by Radaan

As composer

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Year Title Language Notes Ref.
2002 Mitr, My Friend Hindi
English
Tamil
credited as Bhavatharini Ilayaraaja
2003 Avuna Telugu [4]
2004 Phir Milenge Hindi credited as Bhavatha Raja
additional composer and BGM
[5]
2006 Amirtham Tamil
Ilakkanam
Geeya Geeya Kannada credited as Bhavatharini Ilayaraaja
2012 Vellachi Tamil [6]
Porida Pazhagu Film unreleased
2018 Kalvargal
2019 Maayanadhi
2022 Puyalil Oru Thoni Tamil [15]

Filmography

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Onscreen appearances

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Year Film Role Language(s)
1999 Poovellam Kettuppar Herself Tamil
2010 Goa

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Ilayaraja's daughter gets engaged". The Hindu. 4 August 2005. Archived from the original on 1 December 2016. Retrieved 30 November 2016.
  2. ^ "48th National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 October 2013. Retrieved 13 March 2012.
  3. ^ "அப்பா மீது கோபமுண்டு!". Kalki. 9 April 2006. pp. 8–10. Retrieved 16 March 2024.
  4. ^ a b Jeevi (12 December 2003). "Movie review - Avuna..!". Idlebrain.com. Archived from the original on 27 January 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  5. ^ a b ""Phir Milenge"". The Hindu. 3 September 2004. Archived from the original on 21 November 2004. Retrieved 26 June 2019.
  6. ^ a b Kumar, S. R. Ashok (18 December 2012). "Rural rhapsody". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 February 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2020.
  7. ^ "இளையராஜாவின் மகள் பவதாரிணி காலமானார்". Daily Thanthi. 25 January 2024. Archived from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  8. ^ "Ilaiyaraaja's daughter and playback singer Bhavatharini dies of cancer". India Today. Archived from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  9. ^ "Bhavatharini, daughter of musician Ilayaraja, no more". The hindu. Archived from the original on 25 January 2024. Retrieved 25 January 2024.
  10. ^ "இளையராஜாவின் மகள் பவதாரணி காலமானார்". BBC News தமிழ் (in Tamil). 25 January 2024. Archived from the original on 26 January 2024. Retrieved 26 January 2024.
  11. ^ "தனுஷ் (Dhaanush) by இளையராஜா [Ilaiyaraaja]". Rate Your Music. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  12. ^ "'GOAT' 2nd single promo: Vijay's track features late Bhavatharini's AI-generated voice". India Today. 21 June 2024. Archived from the original on 22 June 2024. Retrieved 22 June 2024.
  13. ^ "CD Review: Ilaiyaraaja / Thiruvasagam | Finndian". Archived from the original on 30 April 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
  14. ^ Longman, H (2008). "Thiruvasagam: A Classical Crossover by Ilaiyaraaja, Tamil Mayam". The World of Music. JSTOR 41699841. Archived from the original on 14 February 2023. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  15. ^ DIN (31 October 2024). "பவதாரணியின் கடைசிப் பாடல் வெளியானது!". Dinamani (in Tamil). Retrieved 31 October 2024.
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